Based on preliminary data from 2004, the top 15 causes of death in the United States in 2004 were:

• 1. Disease of the heart – 654,092 deaths
• 2. Malignant neoplasms – 550-270 deaths
• 3. Cerebrovascular diseases – 150,147 deaths
• 4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases – 123,884 deaths
• 5. Accidents (unintentional injuries) – 108,694 deaths
• 6. Diabetes mellitus – 72,815 deaths
• 7. Alzheimer’s disease – 65,829 deaths
• 8. Influenza and pneumonia – 61,472 deaths
• 9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis – 42,762 deaths
• 10. Septicemia – 33,464 deaths
• 11. Intentional self-harm (suicide) – 31,647 deaths
• 12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis – 26,549 deaths
• 13. Essential (primary) hypertension and hypertensive renal disease – 22,953 deaths
• 14. Parkinson’s disease – 18,018 deaths
• 15. Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids – 16,959 deaths